Apparatus for producing seamless fibrous containers



Dec. 1927.

R. E. HALL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBROUS CONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet .1

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Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,007

- R. E. HALL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBROUS CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 20, B-Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,007

' R. E. HALL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBHOUS CONTAINERS Filed Oct 20, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 g; MK

Dec. 20, 192 7.

R. E. HALL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBHOUS CONTAINERS I Filed Oct. 20, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 2712/672 for. ZJZ 171655 {fickard 2527a 22,

Dec. 20, 1927. I 1,653,007

R. E. HALL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBROUS CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 20, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 J71 z. (0n JfkhardZ-mzz,

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Dec. 20, 1927.

R. E. HALL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBEdUS CONTAINERS fly Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,007

R. E. HAL L APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBROUS CONTAINERS Filed 001:. 20, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 (u 1 2186 5.- a 277M672 fan fz'ckard 291F422,

Patented Dec. 20, 1927.

U-MTED STATES PATENT; OFFICE.

RICHARD E. HALL, 013 CLEAN, NEW YORK, AS SIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE ARVEY MANUFACTURING (20., OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS FIBROUS CONTAINERS.

Application filed October 20, 1924. Serial No. 744,586.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for producing seamless felted fibrous containers, and refers more particularly to the production of seamless felted fibrous containers of maximum tensile strength combined with minimum weight by felting the wet fibrous pulp under a rotary suction and subjecting the felted form to compression under high hydraulic pressure.

The pressed container may be removed from its form by means of a blowoif.

In one embodiment of my invention, the operation may be as follows: A rotatable wheel has positioned on its periphery a plurality of uniformly spaced foraminated metallic male forms on which the fibers are adapted to felt by means of suction applied on the interior of the form. The wheel is preferably rotated intermittently, carrying the forms through the vat containing the pulp solution.

Suction may be automatically applied as soon as the form is thoroughly submerged in the pulp solution. After felting, the forms may be compressed under pressure, preferexcess water and produce a dense-r product. After being pressed, the suction which has been maintained since the form was first subbe t en applied to the interior of the form, which latter acts as a blowofi' to release the pressed container from contact with the form. The foraminated metallic form is then ready to be again submerged, and the operation repeated. I

The entire operation is automatic and be- 4 cause of the fact that there are a plurality of molds spaced uniformly on the periphery of the mold wheel, the operation is continuous. i In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my improved apparatus, with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional View of one form of feltedfibrous container producedby my invention. 4

' Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. b

Fig. 4 isa plan section on line 4.--4: of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing thev arably a high hydraulic pressure, to remove merged, is released, and a blast of'ai'r may rangement of the forms on the periphery of the wheel.

Figs. 6 and 7 are cross sectional views iiaken5on lines 6--6 and 77'respectively of Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the supporting structure, and compressin mold.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view onthe line 9+9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a corner of the metal form.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism for rotating the wheel. Fig. 12 is-a front view of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail of one of the driving chains and disks showing the contacting lugs for rotating the wheel. Fig. 14 is a front view of Fig. 13.

Figs. 15 and 16 are enlarged side and front views respectively, of similar driving chains for raising and lowering the compressing hood.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional plan view through the Wheel, showing the valve mechanism and interior arrangement.

. Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1818 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail of the cam mechanism for controlling the pressure and suction applied to the compressing hood.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged view, partly in vertical section of the valve mechanism for controlling pressure and suction applied to compressing mold.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 represents the tank containing the wet fibrous pul'p, provided with inlet 2 and outlet 3, it being understood that the pulp solution is constantly agitated. In'the preferred form of construction, the tank 1s decreased in cross sectional area at one end as shown at 4, for the purgpse of allowing an attendant to comforta ly occupy the decreased space vto remove the formed containers as they are blown from the metal forms. The level of the wet pulp within the tank 1s shown at 5, and it is desirable that this level be maintained substantially close to the top of the tank. Mounted on the tank 1 are a plurality of vertical standards 6, braced in any suitable manner, as for, instance, by the cross braces 7 and connecting bracing rods 8.

Driving power is transmitted through the 'pulleywheel 9 from any suitable source, mounted on shaft 10. On one end of the shaft 10 adjacent the pulley wheel are two sprocket wheels 12 and 13, suitably bearing on the shaft 10. On the opposite end of the shaft 10 is a similar sprocket wheel 14. The latter is adapted to mesh with sprocket chain 15, which in turn meshes with the smaller sprocket wheel 16 mounted on shaft 17. Adjacent the sprocket wheel 16 and also mounted on shaft 17 is the disk 18. Dis osed at predetermined positions on-the sur ace of the disk 18 are the studs or lugs 19 adapted to register with lugs 20 on the chain 15, the arrangement being such that the lugs 20 contacting lugs 19 will cause the disk 18 to rotate, which of course, is loosely mount ed on, and therefore does not rotate with the shaft 17. Pivotally mounted on the outer surface of the disk 18 as shown at 21, is the stem 22 having its other end pivotally mounted in a bifurcated end 23 engaging pivot pin 24. An opposite end 25 is also preferably bifurcated engaging pivot pin 26 to support the movable arm 27 having the hooked portion 28 on the end thereof. The arrangement is such that as one of the lugs 20 on the chain 15 contacts a lug 19 on the disk 18, said disk will be partially rotated, causing the connecting rod 22 to move upwardly, carrying with it, the coupling link 29 and arm 27. On the pivoted end of the arm 27 is a coil spring 30 mounted in a suitable housing, acting to keep the member 27 in an outwardly extended position for con tact, as will be hereinafter explained. As the entire construction moves upwardly, the block 31 which is attached to coupling link 29 will be caused to slide in the guide way 32 connected at top and bottom to stationary bracket 33. Thus the hinged coupling member 29 will at all times be maintained in a vertical dplane regardless of any movement imparte thereto.

Describing now the mechanism for rotating the wheel 34 on the periphery of which the metal forms 35 are mounted, the hooked portion 28 of the member 27 is adapted to contact the projecting pin 36 of a member 37 carried by the radially extending supporting'brackets 38. Thus, when the arm 27 is raised, the hooked portion 28, contacting the pin 37 will cause the wheel 34to be rotated to a predetermined position. As these radially extending brackets 38 are uniformly spaced exterior of the tank 1, every time the arm 27 is raised, it will cause a rotation of the wheel to the point where another bracket 38 is brought into position to be rotated. The brackets 38 are mounted on the hub 39 positioned on the hollow shaft or housing 40 (Fig. 3). This hollow shaft 40 extends transversely of the machine and is preferably made integral with the wheel 34, rotating with it. That end of the rotary shaft 40 adjacent the brackets, 38 is connected with the stationary suction supply pipe '41, a suitable packing gland 42 being interposed at the point of connection to prevent leakage.

Within one end of the hollow shaft 40 is positioned the closed suction header 43, terininating in the interior of the hollow housing 40 in a plurality of radially extending outlet pipes 44, communicating with the interior of the-forms 35 (see Fig. 17). The opposite end of suction header 43 of course, communicates with the suction pipe 41, which in turn communicates with a suitable suction pump (not shown). WVithin the opposite end of the hollow housing 40 is positioned the rotary air supply pipe 45, communicating with the stationary air supplypipe 46, a suitable packing gland being inserted at the point of connection to prevent leakage. The pipe 46 communicates with any source of air supply (not shown). The pipe 45 terminates similarly as suction header 43 in a plurality of radially extendingbranch pipes 47 which also communicate with the interior of the forms 35. It is to be noted that branches 44 and 47 communicate with each form 35 on the periphery of the wheel 34. A connecting member 48 provides a means for connecting the suction header 43 and air pipe 45 in'order that they may be mounted on shaft 51, which latter terminates in the bifurcated wrench portion 52, which in turn is connected to and operates the stem 53, directly connected with the valve mechanism within the housing 48. Surrounding the rotatable shaft 51 is the stationary flanged bearing 54, secured in any suitable manner, which is shaped to have fixed engagement with the cutaway portion 55 of the wheel. For thepurpose of preventing the pulp solution from entering the hollow portion of the Wheel, the flange 54 is shaped to allow packing material 56 to be placed around the shaft. To compress the packing 56 in case of wear, there may be provided the looking or compressing member 57 held in place by screw bolts 58. When it is desired to compress the packing 56 to take up wear around the shaft, the locking member 57 is screwed further into position. In addition, by this arrangement, it is a simple operation to replace worn out packing, and accidental play of the star wheel is substantially eliminated. Theconstruction of the star wheel and associated mecha nism is identical wherever they are shown or used.

. Describing now the means for operating the star wheels, projecting'transversely from the interior walls ofthe tanks, and fixed thereto, are the pins 59 and 60., It will be seen that as the forms are rotated, the stars will be moved a quarter turn by the stationary pins 59 and 60, to open or close they suction or air supply. In Fig. 6, illustrating the suction control pins, it will be noted that the pins 60 are spaced'apart. In other words, pin a contacting the star 50 will give it a quarter turn to open the valve and cause suction to be applied to a form which has just been submerged in the felting tank 1. This valve will remain open, allowing suction to be maintained, untilthe star wheel 50 con-' tacts the pin 72, which closes the valve and.

tacting the pin d, which imparts another quarter turn to the star 49, the valve is closed and the airnsupply shut off. The opposite star wheels 50 then cause suction to be imposed, as above explained, and the op- V eration repeated.

Referring now to the mechanism for rais ing and lowering the compressing head 61. On the sprocket wheels 12 and 13 are mounted the sprocket chains 62 and 63, which mesh in turn with smaller sprocket wheels 64: and 65, these latter being mounted on the shaft '10. The sprocket chains 62 and 63 have connecting cross pieces 66 which latter are adapted to contact the studs 67 on hearing 68, causing them to rotate a half turn and to then slip oil. On this bearing 68 and moving withit, is a disk '69, on one surface of which .is pivotally fastened at 7 O the arm 71, which latter has its opposite end hinged as shown at 72 intermediate the length of av connecting link 73. This link 73, at its upper end is pivotally hinged by means of the pin 74 to the toggle joint or arm 75, which latter is anchored at the top of the supporting structure as shown at 76, in the form of a pivot mounting.

Referring back to the link v73, its lower end may be'pivotally secured by means of the pin 77 to the metal compressing head 61, which extends between the ribbed POI? tions 78. As shown in Fig. 9, the metal compressing head 61 comprises the'outer casing 79 shaped in the form of a bell. In the upper portion thereof, between the ribbed portions 78 are the outwardly extending hollow bosses 80, being interiorly screw threaded and closed by the screw threaded closure This stud 82 may be provided with a central opening to accommodate the in 83, to which is fastened a horizontal plate 84: having perforations 85. Between the top of plate 84 and bottom of stud 82, and surrounding the movable pin 83 is the coil spring 86. The operation of this particular mechanism will be later described in detail. Extending within the head 61 and attached to the interior base thereof, for instance, by the circumferentially extending spring tensioned strap 87 is the flexible bag 88, which is preferably constructed of rubber or analogous substance. The bag 88 conforms to the shape of the head, and is securely fastened within said head by any suitable means felted, it comprises a male brass casting 89 having the holes 90 drilled therethrough. The forms are preferably cast from brass to prevent rusting action of water and pulp sizing. The. entire exterior surface of the form is preferably grooved with channels 91, communicating with the draining holes 90. These forms are covered with sheets 92 of non-rusting metal such as monel, having numerous holes 93 punched therein. This perforated sheet 92 is preferably covered with a fine wire mesh screen 94 of say 30 mesh. This screen prevents the fibers from being drawn into the holes 93 in the perforated sheet 92, which would interfere with the successful stripping of the finished container from'the form. The perforated plate keeps the wire cloth 94 from being drawn into the drainage channels 91 in the form which would also make stripping diflicult.. The base of the head casting 61 flares outwardly to engage the split clamp 95, the

two portions of which are tightened in places by the bolt 96. The purpose of this clamp is to fixedly secure the annular retain ing ring member 97 in position. The form 35 is fixedly secured in positionon the wheel by any suit-able means such as the removable locking screw 98. For the purpose of equalizing effortto raise and lower the head 61, I

have provided a counter-balance in the form f 'of cables 99 attached to the head and running over sheaves 100, and having balancing weights 101. The sheaves 100 are supported at the top of the frame in any desired manner.

Describing now the mechanism. for applying and releasing pressure within thehead cally in the stationary stuffing box header 104, any suitable form of packmg gland being provided at the point of connection to prevent leakage. The stuffing box header 104 is fixedly mounted on the stationary tank 1. From the header 104 is a lead 105 communicating with the double valve chamber designated as a whole 106. Lines 107 and 108 connect respectively, with a valve chamber, the line 107 being thesuction line and line 108 the water inlet, these lines be ing connected with any suitable source of supply. One form of construction of valve chamber 106 is shown in Fig. 20. The metal plug 109 carries tapered shoulder 110 and is surrounded by spring 111 resting on the tapered shoulder 110. The shoulder 110, through the action of the spring, presses against valve stem 113 to which is attached valve 114, seating at 115. The valve 114 which is shown in closed position in Fig. 20 is actuated and raised from its seat by the action of the stub pin 116 which is connected with a stem 117, having an enlarged portion 118 at its upper end. The stem 117 is adapted to be actuated by the arms 119 on which are fitted the rollers 120. The rocker arms 119 are pivoted as shown at The chambers 121 are located oppo site the inlets 107 and 108. A removable acking gland 122 forms a closure for the ower end of the valve chamber and prevents leakage past the stem 117. The .hous ing or hood 123 of the chamber is easily removable being screw threaded in place, thus facilitating the replacing or repairing of the interior valve mechanism. It is understood that washers and other packing means are placed at desired places within the chambers.

The operation is as follows: Fixedly mounted on the shaft 10 and rotating with it are the cams 124 and 125 adapted to contact the rollers 120 to actuate the valve mechanism just described for controlling the hydraulic pressure and suction applied to the compressing head 61. a

The wet fibrous pulp from the heaters is continuously introduced to the tank 1 through inlet 2. Any suitable motive power such as electricity is transmitted to the pulley wheel 9 fixed to shaft 10, causing the rotation of the fixed sprockets 12, 13 and 14, driving the chains 15, 62 and 63, which in turn drive the smaller sprockets 16, 64 and 65 to actuate the. mechanism for rotating the wheel and raising and lowering the compressing head heretofore described.

' The entire operation is entirely automatic, the various parts working in timed relation. Just after the form 55 has been completely submerged in the pulp tank,a-projection on the star wheel 50 will contact the pin a, which will open the valve in the suction line 44 and impose suction on the interior of the form to cause maximum felting and complete interlocking of the fibers and to withdraw water. It will be obvious that the amount of water withdrawn through the suction line 44-will successively decrease as the pulp continues to felt on the form. This suction is maintained during the entire felting and compressing operation, and is released only for a brief period after the compressing, and while the pressed container is removed by the blowoif mechanism, which latter is operated by the star wheels and pins heretofore described.

The forms 35 may have a tapering shoulder at its base to form the annular lip 126 on the upper rim of the container 127 for the purpose of providing a shoulder for a cover to be set therein.

Hydraulic pressure is applied to the head 61 through lines'105 and 108, being controlled by the cam 125, rotating with shaft 10. The pressure will cause the flexible bag 88 to fit tightly around the wet fibrous pulp and will tend to squeeze excess water from the pulp through the foraminations in the form heretofore described, and produce a denserproduct. When it is desired to release the pressure, the cam 125 closes the hydraulic pressure valve mechanism and the cam 124 then opens the suction mechanism, releasing the hydraulic pressure from the compressing head through pipes 105 and As a feature of the invention, to prevent the suction applied to the head from causing the top of the flexiblebag 88 to be sucked upwardly carrying the bottom of the container with 1t, I provide the spring tensioned plate 84 to keep the top of the flexible bag 88 constantly in contact with the pulp until the sides of the bag are first rawn away.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that suction is maintained on the male form 35 during the major part of the circumferential travel, including the time of compression, for instance, about seven-eighths of the travel. The advantages of this will be immediately apparent.

Furthermore, although the driving mechanism is continuously rotating, the wheel 34 has an intermittent movement with a longer period of stop than movement. A uniform vacuum of from 20 to-24 inches may be maintained. It is. to be noted that the compressing hood 61 automatically centers on the bevelled shoulder at the base of the form 35. After the suction is released by the arrangement of star wheels and pins heretofore described, other st'ar wheels and ins, also described, introduce a blast of air to blow off and strip the pressed container from the form to facilitate its removal.

It must be understood that felted fibrous containers of any capacity can produced by my process and apparatus, and that these .pounds per square inch, more or less, and

further reduced to a two pound container by drying. The use of this very thin pulp in felting allows each fiber to float by itself and when the water is withdrawn through the perforated form, the fibers are thor oughly interlaced or interwoven together to produce a container having maximum tensile strength. Containers manufactured in accordance with the process and apparatus disclosed herein, possess many advantages, among which are the combining of an article of minimum weight with maximum tensile strength. They are easy to dry and there is no warpage in drying. The lip allows the use of a cheap cover and fastening device. All containers are uniform in weight and as pointed out, the entire operation is automatic.

The machine occupies a minimum of floor space, and the simplicity of design and operation will be immediately apparent; The speed of operation may vary from say, the production of sixty to the production of two hundred twenty containers an hour, more or less. At sixty per hour, the timing may be as follows: The form wheel makes a oneeighth revolution in five seconds and rests for fifty-five seconds. The pressing cylinder may move down in five seconds (as soon as the wheel comes to rest), may remain down for forty-five seconds and may raise in five seconds and rest at top of stroke for five seconds (while wheel is turning), .and then operations are repeated. Pressure is preferably applied to pressing cylinder as soon as it comes to rest over form, and this pressure is preferably cut off and the vacuum valve opened. three seconds before cylinder starts upward stroke, to draw the flexible bag away from contact with the pressed con-v tainer. The vacuum valve preferably remains open until one second before pressure is applied again.

The suction valves to each form are preferabl opened as soon as that form is thor ough y submerged in the pulp and the valves preferably remain open until the form starts to move after thepressing operation. The air pressure valve may be opened at this point and may close just before the form comes to rest at the point where the pail is taken ofi. g The forms may be fastened to the wheel with capiscrews which may draw tightly against a rubber gasket between form and wheel As explained,'the 'mpvement of the wheel and pressing cylinder is obtained by chains but there are many ways in which these movements may be accomplished. chains give the greatest ease of variation which is of course, very desirable.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for roducing felted The fibrous containers, the com ination with a wet pulp container, of an intermittently movable carrier, foraminated forms mounted thereon and having communication through the carrier with vacuum and res sure supply, means on the exterior. of thecarrier adapted to be actuated by elements mounted on the pulp container to automatically control the application of vacuum, and pressure, and a movable compressing head adapted to register with the forms to remove excess water.

2. In an apparatus for producing felted fibrous containers, the combination with a wet pulp container, of an intermittently rotatable carrier, of foraminated forms mounted thereon and having communication through the carrier with vacuum and ressure supply, means on theexterior o the carrier adapted to be actuated by elements mounted on the'pulp container to automatically control the application of vacuum, and

pressure, and a movable compressing head adapted to register wlth the forms to remove excess water, and means for imparting intermittent rotary movement to saidcari'ier.

3. A compressing head adapted for use with an apparatus for producing felted fibrous containers, comprising anouter me- 4. In an apparatus for producing felted fibrous containers, the combination with a tank in which a substantial body oi pulp solution is maintained, a movable carrier adapted to be moved therethrough, foraminated forms mounted on said carrier, communications between each form and a source of negative pressure, means for intermittently moving said carrier .to progressively pass the forms through the pulp solution, a

pressing means adapted to fit over indi'- vidual forms at a predetermined point in their travel and means for imposing pressure on said pressing means and means on the carrier adapted to be actuated by elements mounted on the pulp container to automatically control the application of negative pressure.

5. In an apparatus for producing felted fibrous containers, the combination with a wet pulp container, of an intermittently movable carrier adapted to be moved therethrough, foraminated forms mounted thereon and having communication through the carrier with vacuum and pressure supply, means on the exterior of the carrier adapted to be actuated by elements mounted on the pulp container to automatically control the application of vacuum and pressure, a reciprocatory pressing head adapted to fit over the forms at a predetermined point in their travel, means for imparting intermittent movement to said carrier, comprising arms projecting from the carrier shaft, and a movable arm-engaging element intermittent- 1y actuated to rotate the carrier for a predetermined regulated distance short .of a complete rotation.

6. In an apparatus for producing felted fibrous containers, the combination with a Wet pulp container, of an intermittently movable carrier, foraminated forms mounted thereon and having communication through the carrier with vacuum and ressure supply, means on the exterior o the carrier adapted to be actuated by elements mounted on the pulp container to automatically control the application of vacuum and pressure, and a movable compressing head adapted to register with the forms to remove excess water, said vacuum and pressure control means being so spaced relative each other that vacuum is maintained for a major part in excess of 75% of the travel of the carrier.

7. In an apparatus for producing felted fibrous containers, the combination with a tank in which a substantial body of pulp solution is maintained, a movable carrier adapted to be moved therethrough, foraminated forms mounted on said carrier, connections between each form and a source of negative pressure, means for moving said carrier to progressively pass the forms through the pulp solution, and means on the carrieradapted to be actuated by elements on the pulp container to automatically control the application of negative pressure.

RICHARD E. HALL. 

